TEMPLE, Texas — Students in Temple High School’s construction technology program are getting the opportunity to learn the skills of the construction trade while also learning some important life skills as part of a big project – building two tiny houses.
The student-led project involves the construction of two houses that will eventually be used to help provide housing for the homeless in Central Texas. Students created the blueprints for the houses and are responsible for the bulk of the construction. Each house will include approximately 160-165 square feet of living space with the students having a chance to experience all aspects of the construction process.
“I love the fact that they are getting a taste of every trade, and we touch on every aspect of building a home,” said Stephen Bishop, construction technology teacher at Temple High School. “They are getting a very good understanding of what it takes to build a house. I didn’t realize when we first started this project that it can change the trajectory of a student’s life. This isn’t just about learning to swing a hammer; we talk about so many things in the process that can help them walk out of here and be successful right out of high school.”
The project first started in the fall of 2021 when Bishop won a grant from the Temple Education Foundation to help fund the program’s first tiny house or House on Wheels (HOW). Once students completed the first tiny house, it was auctioned off and ended up at Feed My Sheep’s Elizabeth Farm to help house homeless Central Texans. Bishop went even bigger the second time around, with plans to build two tiny houses. While the students are doing much of the work, they have had help from professionals - contractors, builders, and community partners - from across Central Texas. Those experts have volunteered to share their knowledge with the students and donate their time, and in some cases, materials to the project.
More than 75 students have worked on the two tiny houses currently under construction. One of those students is Oscar Jay Perez Jr., a senior at Temple High School who hopes to become an architectural engineer after high school. He appreciates the opportunity the students are getting with this project and says he has learned a lot of different things through his involvement with building the tiny houses.
“It has been really exciting because we get to collaborate with new people, learn about new tools, and learn how to problem solve,” Perez said. “The most surprising thing to me has been how long it takes, especially with the size of the tiny house. I have learned that I am actually pretty good at building things and can pick up things pretty quickly.”
“The second one has been harder because some of the excitement and novelty has worn off now, so this is a bit more like a job.” Bishop added. “The kids are doing a great job and still see the big picture. They are learning to push through and how to persevere through the challenges of this project.”
The goal with the two tiny houses currently under construction is to once again auction them off and have the buyers donate the houses to Feed My Sheep. And that leads to the final lesson that Bishop hopes his students will take away from their time on this project – the importance of taking pride in their workmanship and giving back to the community.
“It is a blessing to help those that are in need,” Perez said. “It is good for us because we get to learn how to put our skills to use and practice them while benefitting the community.”
“It is very humbling to be a part of something so big and to be able to help the people in our community,” Bishop added. “And these kids are learning the importance and impact of doing that.”